Chương 37: A Pleasant Surprise
"What's this?!"
On the morning of April 8, 1861, a still-drowsy Smith was led to the dining table. His gaze unintentionally fell on the newspaper by his side, and in an instant, any lingering sleepiness evaporated.
It was a copy of the Berliner Zeitung, and on its front page, there was a large photograph.
Photography in 1861, though still rudimentary, was capable of producing reasonably clear images. In the photo, Smith immediately recognized Hu Linyi. It seemed that this "Khitan envoy" had returned to Berlin after an absence of a year and a half.
However, Hu Linyi, a figure of considerable stature, was not the central focus of the photograph. Standing beside him was someone who appeared to be the true subject of the image.
The individual in question was an elderly man. Yet, judging by the photograph, he stood straight and tall, his posture firm and energetic despite his advanced age. His figure, though not particularly robust, radiated vitality. Smith felt a nagging familiarity with the man's face, as though he had seen it somewhere before.
Shifting his attention slightly, Smith noticed the caption beneath the photograph:
"Former Khitan Prime Minister Lin Zengxu Arrives in Berlin!"
Smith stared at the name "Lin Zengxu," his mind turning it over repeatedly, trying to decipher which Chinese characters it represented.
Unlike the time he puzzled over the term "Red Scarf," this challenge didn't take Smith long. After silently mouthing the name three or four times, he arrived at the answer. A quick glance back at the photo confirmed his deduction.
"This is… Lin Zexu?!"
Smith froze on the spot.
It was, indeed, a shocking revelation. From Smith's understanding of history, this national hero, famed for his anti-opium efforts, had passed away 11 years earlier in 1850. While this alternate timeline had already been thrown into disarray by his own inexplicable time travel and the Temporal Bureau's interventions, the notion of resurrection seemed beyond even this world's chaotic logic.
There had to be some unknown twists in this timeline!
The photograph conveyed such an immense amount of information that Smith found it difficult to process. Yet, the simple fact that Lin Zexu was still alive brought him great satisfaction. After all, Lin's moral integrity and exceptional capabilities were undeniable. For the Khitan state to have such a figure in a position of responsibility was indeed an unexpected delight.
It took Smith quite some time to recover from his shock. But when he did, the first thought that came to his mind was:
"Back in my time, I used to recite his famous lines every day. Now that the man himself is here, I wonder if I might have a chance to meet him and pay my respects..."
What Smith didn't know was that, at this very moment, the "man himself" was waiting with Hu Linyi at the Charlottenburg Palace for an audience with King Wilhelm.
"Ha! The Khitans move even faster than we expected! This is truly a pleasant surprise for us!"
In the King's office, Prussian Prime Minister Karl Anton von Hohenzollern was rubbing his hands together in excitement, pacing before King Wilhelm.
State visits were no casual neighborly calls. Before any diplomatic delegation set out, its purpose was usually communicated in advance to the host country. Thus, even before the Khitan delegation's arrival, the Prussian government was already aware of their intentions.
The foremost objective was a major diplomatic matter. Over a year had passed since the initial exchange of envoys between Khitan and Prussia. Both sides now had a clearer understanding of each other's positions and aspirations. The time had come to formalize their diplomatic relationship. Barring any unforeseen events, 1861 would mark the official establishment of relations between Khitan and Prussia.
This was destined to be a historic milestone. Never before had an Eastern nation established such formal and equal diplomatic ties with a European country. For Prussia, forging ties with Khitan was not merely an expansion of its diplomatic map but also an opening to closer global connections—a truly celebratory achievement.
However, for Karl Anton von Hohenzollern, this wasn't the true "pleasant surprise." What thrilled him most was the sudden realization that—
The Prussian government now had money!
This wasn't because the Khitans had altruistically sailed across the seas to hand over silver to Prussia. Rather, it stemmed from several proposed collaborative projects.
Evidently, after thorough research, the Khitans had determined that Prussia's military strength was impressive—not only in terms of well-trained troops and unique equipment but also in its strategic doctrines and organizational structure. As a result, the Khitans sought to establish close military cooperation alongside their diplomatic ties.
The Khitans had deemed this matter a top-secret national security issue, refraining from mentioning it before the delegation's arrival.
Even though Karl Anton von Hohenzollern wasn't the sharpest politician, he could easily guess the reason behind their secrecy:
Khitan, still a technologically underdeveloped nation, lacked its own telegraph system. Previous communications between Khitan and Prussia had relied entirely on telegraph companies operated by other nations in China. In other words, Khitan's messages were entirely exposed to foreign powers. Dispatching special envoys was time-consuming and fraught with potential complications. Thus, presenting their proposal face-to-face during the delegation's visit was the most straightforward option.
So, during yesterday's reception for the Khitan delegation, where Hohenzollern himself welcomed them, the Khitans directly outlined their proposal. They hoped Prussia would send a team of instructors to train their army and allow several groups of military students to study military science and command in Prussia.
Additionally, the Khitans sought Prussian military engineers to design and oversee the construction of key fortifications and military infrastructure, such as telegraph systems, fortresses, and artillery batteries. Foremost among these priorities were the telegraph system and the fortifications, both of which needed immediate action.
Frankly, Hohenzollern had little personal interest in bolstering Khitan's national defense. Exhausted from his ongoing battles with the parliament, he was nearly at his wit's end. But as soon as he heard the proposal, his enthusiasm ignited, for he immediately caught the scent of something hidden beneath the surface—
The scent of money.
Indeed, whether it was constructing a telegraph system or building fortifications, all of it required significant funds. Since the Khitans were requesting Prussia's assistance, it naturally meant they wouldn't expect Prussia to work for free. While the total sum might not be enormous, it would be enough to provide some breathing room for the cash-strapped Prussian government. More importantly, it offered the King and his cabinet a vital bargaining chip. They could demonstrate to the parliament that attempting to choke the government financially to force compliance was, at least for now, an ineffective strategy.
Just the thought of it made Karl Anton von Hohenzollern almost unable to contain his excitement. Suppressing his emotions, he posed another critical question:
"Although I can't provide a precise figure at this moment, such projects are notoriously costly. According to standard engineering practices, some initial deposits are usually required, and if the project is expedited, additional fees may apply. Does your nation have sufficient funds prepared for this?"
After asking, he perked up his ears, eagerly awaiting the Khitan delegation's response. Before long, the Khitan interpreter relayed their reply:
"Our country is fully capable of payment. While it's inconvenient to disclose specific amounts, mobilizing cash reserves equivalent to 10 million taels of silver is no challenge for us!"
"Ten million taels?! In hard silver?!"
Karl Anton von Hohenzollern felt as if his heart was about to leap out of his chest. Based on current international exchange rates, ten million taels of silver converted to nearly 70 million marks—a sum sufficient to keep Prussia's state machinery running for months!
"Translate for me—what the hell does 'pleasant surprise' even mean?!"
Karl Anton von Hohenzollern was overjoyed. After the day's negotiations concluded, he hurried back to his residence to mull over the matter. The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Early the next morning, he hopped into a carriage and sped to Charlottenburg Palace, where he reported everything to King Wilhelm in detail.
"Hmm... it seems the Khitan people might just be the key to breaking our stalemate with the parliament!"
King Wilhelm glanced at his prime minister, who was clearly in a state of high excitement. Stroking his mustache, he maintained a composed demeanor. Yet, deep down, how could he not share in the joy? After years of political experience, Wilhelm had mastered the art of emotional restraint in public. By contrast, his younger relative, the prime minister, was still "young and naïve."
"In that case, we must swiftly reach an agreement with the Khitan delegation and secure the funds as soon as possible!" Rising from his seat, King Wilhelm adjusted his uniform and addressed his still-excited prime minister:
"Fortunately, they are already at Charlottenburg Palace. This is our chance!"
Unsurprisingly, the subsequent diplomatic negotiations proceeded smoothly. Both sides, driven by mutual needs, quickly reached an agreement in just two hours, outlining the major directions and framework. Since both parties were pressed for time, detailed negotiations were scheduled to begin the following day. According to their agreed-upon timeline, a preliminary official contract could be signed within the month, and barring unforeseen circumstances, the first payment from the Khitan side would arrive by the end of next month—just in time to alleviate Prussia's urgent financial crisis!
With such progress, King Wilhelm's spirits naturally soared. The months-long gloom of his struggles with parliament finally lifted. In his delight, he warmly invited the Khitan delegation to join him for lunch.
Given the earlier success, the luncheon went exceptionally well. The Khitan envoy, Hu Linyi, was particularly adept at gauging King Wilhelm's mood. Since his previous visit, Hu had already figured out how to "hit the right note," and during the banquet, he subtly played to the king's preferences, winning him over effortlessly.
Even Lin Zexu, who had remained mostly silent during negotiations, piqued King Wilhelm's curiosity. The king could sense the gravitas of this recently retired Khitan "prime minister" through his demeanor alone. Intrigued, Wilhelm took the initiative to converse with him.
This wasn't difficult. Despite a decade-plus age gap, both were elder statesmen. At their age, certain topics were sure to resonate—health and the well-being of their descendants.
Naturally, the conversation turned to Wilhelm's grandson, Smith, and inevitably, to Smith's "speech difficulties."
Touched by the subject, Wilhelm's tone revealed genuine emotion:
"My grandson is remarkable! But those doctors are all quacks! Their treatments only bring him suffering without any results!"
Hearing this, Lin Zexu exchanged a glance with Hu Linyi before sincerely offering:
"Thanks to our emperor's grace, I was accompanied on this journey by four imperial physicians from the Tai Hospital. Their medical skills are exceptional. If His Majesty does not mind, perhaps they could examine the crown prince's grandson."
King Wilhelm was taken aback.
Even as preparations for formal diplomatic relations were underway, Khitan remained a mysterious Eastern nation to the Prussians. Many believed it to be a land of wonders, even one that Frederick the Great had long admired. If these imperial physicians from the enigmatic East treated his grandson, might a miracle occur?
"Why not?" After a brief pause, King Wilhelm made his decision:
"I've heard that your nation's medicine contains a mystical power from the East. Perhaps it's precisely this power that my grandson needs to speak!"
As he spoke, King Wilhelm's heart brimmed with anticipation, hoping these Khitan physicians might deliver yet another "pleasant surprise."
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